Contracted Companionship

Chapter 1: Unlikely Meeting

[Mateo POV]

In a wealthy city such as [tbd], there is bound to be an underworld that resides where the average person cannot see. It holds horrors unimaginable to regular civilians, which is why I can't bring someone who isn't ready to face those horrors into it. They must be strong-willed and willing to follow my every command if they wish to survive in such an environment.

I had hoped that my previous partners would've been able to handle it but they all found a problem in me and said the same thing, "You're too stoic. I can't tell what you're feeling and you never talk". It's not my fault. I'm simply following in my father's footsteps. I guess that's why he died alone.

I let out a heavy sigh at the thought.

Enough of this depressing shit. It's already 5pm. Time to head home for the day. As I began packing away my documents, a call came through the phone. It was late for anyone to request anything from me. Whatever it is, it must be urgent. I pressed the speaker button.

"Sir? Apologies for the late call but there's someone here to see you"

Someone here to see me? At this time?

"Do they have an appointment?" I asked.

"No, sir".

I let out an annoyed sigh.

"Tell them to make an appointment for tomorrow", I said as I rubbed my temple.

"I did suggest that, sir, but he insists he speak with you right now. It's regarding your job posting".

Regarding my job posting? At this time? Must be some desperate chick looking to bag some easy cash.

"Fine. Send them up". I hung up the phone and sat back down in my office chair. "This will be quick", I thought. Then it dawned on me.

"Did he say 'he'?"

I had expected that only women would respond to my posting since that was how it was received the first few months into it and it's to be expected when a man posts something like this, right? It had been 6 months since I posted it, I was sure it would go unanswered by now. But to have a man respond to it? What kind of man would sell his freedom away for any amount of money? Before I could gather my thoughts, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in", I anticipated what kind of man would be on the other side.

The door creaked open slowly. Then with it just slightly open, a head popped in. It was a young man. Maybe in his early twenties. No, possibly even younger than that.

"I'm so sorry to bother" his voice was soft and youthful. He let himself in and carefully closed the door behind him. He was slim. One could even say delicate and fragile. His hair had grown out to his neck and seemed unkept. He wore a hastily buttoned up shirt and a pair of jeans which colours had washed out long ago. In his hand was a folder which I assumed held the posting and everything else I had requested for through it.

I sat back in my chair, relieved that this was going to be easy. I would turn him down and that would be the end of it.

"Have a seat" I gestured to the chair on the other side of my desk. He nodded and quickly sat in it.
"How can I help? My assistant had informed me this was regarding my job posting", I continued.

"Ah, right!" He set down his folder and quickly took out the posting.
"I know I'm really late and your interview times are only till 5pm but I really tried to get out of work early and get here before then, but-"

"Don't worry about it. Just get to the details" I stopped his ramblings right there.

"Right, sorry", his cheeks turned the slightest shade of pink, almost like he was embarrassed to be wasting my time.
"See, I saw your posting yesterday and I know it states you're looking for women for compani-"